2025
GREATER WASILLA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2025 WASILLA CHAMBER LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES CURATED BY THE WASILLA CHAMBER GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, APPROVED BY THE WASILLA CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS 9/2024
Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce encourages the development of free markets, healthy local economies, and autonomous local governments. To achieve this we propose the following long-term goals:
Request adequate infrastructure and local control to support the health, safety, and economic wellbeing of our residents and visitors alike.
Seek to incentivize economic growth including reliable, safe, and reasonably priced telecommunications, energy, food, roads, and ports.
Support projects that improve reliability and capacity in areas of high probability for growth while stabilizing associated rates/taxes.
Below are our top priorities for the upcoming year:
1. Support the legislature passing a balanced effective fiscal plan that reflects future revenue predictions.
2. Knik-Goose Bay Road (KGB) upgrade –
It is the top priority of GWCC for construction to remain on track for completion. GWCC appreciates the Governor and Wasilla legislators’ action to date and requests you stay vigilant to ensure the current projects stay on time and funded as the remaining phases move forward.
3. Maintain critical construction schedule for STIP-approved projects such as the Wasilla Main Street project and West Susitna Access Road to support safety and economic growth. In addition, local area projects like the Bogard/Seldon Corridor, Fairview Loop, and highway upgrades to alleviate congestion should continue to be prioritized.
4. Secure maximum federal and state transportation dollars recognizing the area’s substantial growth and status as an economic engine for the region and the state; secure targeted state and federal funding and other support as a catalyst to leverage private dollars, spur economic growth and ensure the longterm vitality of the area.
a. Continued emphasis on advancing the project schedules for key DOT projects:
Community Transportation Projects such as the Hermon Road upgrade and extension, Bogard and Seldon Road improvements.
Highway Safety Improvement Projects such as the Bogard/Engstrom Intersection, Church Road and Spruce Avenue Intersection beacon, and Wasilla-Fishhook and Spruce/Peck roundabout.
b. Support the creation of a Port MacKenzie economic development zone that includes tax incentives to promote private investment in the Port District. Support the completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension.
2025 Legislative Priorities
c. Pursue an alternate transportation corridor between the Anchorage Bowl and points north across the Knik Arm to ensure adequate safety, food security, and emergency response as well as economic opportunities for the region.
d. Sewer/Water – pursue targeted infrastructure funding to support upgrades, enhancements, and expansion of the City of Wasilla Sewer and Water systems & regional water Interconnect.
e. Cost of Energy –pursue energy diversification, security & resilience across the state to stabilize or reduce the cost of energy and spur economic development.
f. Secure funding for improvements to substandard roads, culverts, and bridges.
5. Wasilla City Airport – Support state and federal funding for the airport terminal, runway expansion, and continued Apron Development. GWCC also supports increased development for airport infrastructure and support companies.
6. Continued development and enhancement of the Greater Wasilla Economic Impact Area (GWEIA) to drive sustainable growth, infrastructure development, and business opportunities in the region.
7. Education: A thriving and well-rated school system is essential to the community and economic growth of a region. GWCC supports consistent full funding of school bond debt reimbursement. Predictable funding as part of a long-term sustainable fiscal plan is vital to providing financial stability to the Borough and its residents. Ensure that school funding provides choice for parents and directly funds classroom instruction to improve educational outcomes.
8. Pursue user-friendly health cost transparency at the state and federal level to provide better information to consumers and incentivize lower costs.
9. Pursue funding for Forestry programs to remove beetle-killed spruce/reduce fire hazards. Wildfire Risk Reduction is vital to our region. Wildfires are disruptive to residents and businesses, costly to fight, and devastating to communities. GWCC supports wildfire risk reduction through programs designed to reduce fire hazards.
10. Move alcohol regulations and associated enforcement from the state to qualified local jurisdictions. GWCC supports improvements that support local control to Title 4.
GREATER WASILLA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Your leader in advocating a business climate that fosters positive economic growth and prosperity.
Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce
The voice of business in the
Valley
The Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce is a 501c6 non-profit membership organization that seeks to advocate for a business climatethatfosterspositiveeconomicgrowthandprosperity.
The 2025 Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce Legislative Priorities were curated by the Government Affairs Committee and approvedbytheBoardofDirectorsinSeptember2024.
Join the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce for our twicemonthly luncheons on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at noon. See the Chamber website for details and upcoming speakers. Brief updates from elected officials are welcomed and encouraged.
(907) 376-1299 • (907) 315-9566
